Sentenced: Man Who Made Violent Assassination Threats Against President Trump, Learns His Fate

Joseph L. Pickett published multiple posts on Facebook threatening to kill Trump, and taunting the Secret Service, according to the stipulation of facts filed in court.

“Before I die I want our president and congress to sign a treaty to never side with Russia or any enemy of the United States of America! If one will then that person deserves to be shot,” his post read. “Guess what Trump? I’m waiting for the right time…and I KNOW your (sic) Putin’s (expletive)! The secret service now has a heads up as to my plan to assassinate Trump…let’s see if they act.”

Joseph Pickett posted this status on Facebook, threatening to assassinate President Trump. He was sentenced to six months in prison for his threats.

Provided by the U.S. District Court of Southern Illinois

His taunts toward Trump and the Secret Service earned him six months in prison and three years of supervised release. The maximum penalty he could have received was five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Pickett will have to attend mental health and substance abuse counseling and treatment.

Pickett was working at Lowe’s in Granite City until he was fired for making threats to a coworker, according to the criminal complaint filed against Pickett. Two of his coworkers contacted the St. Louis chapter of the Secret Service and told them about threatening posts on his Facebook page.